# 068 Intera: Lonely but Not Alone - The Loneliness Epidemic

Future Design Podcast

Technology was supposed to bring us together but somehow it has divided us. We have traded in convenience for human connection. We can do every daily activity while staying in the comforts of our house. Shopping can be done on Amazon, food delivery on Food Panda, exercise on Peleton or gym apps, calls on Zoom, etc. Our opinions can even be canceled on social media. Even though we aren't actually isolated, jobless, or friendless, why are we becoming more lonely?
In this episode, Peng Fong, a 20-year veteran journalist and podcast host of Alone Together, discusses the culprits of making us lonely in this world where we are not necessarily alone, and how we can bring ourselves out of our shells in order to feel connected again.
Here we discuss;
- Why she started the Alone Together Podcast
- Addressing loneliness
- Technology's tradeoff of convenience
- Parental hacks for children
- Accepting and being curious about opposing opinions
- Using technology to bring us together
Peg Fong has been writing for the Vancouver Sun, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, CBC, South China Morning Post, and The Economist. She also teaches Journalism at Langara College in Vancouver.
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Guest: Peg Fong (LinkedIn)
Host: Takatoshi Shibayama (LinkedIn | Twitter)
Music: ShowNing (Website)